mafoo
English
Etymology
From Mandarin 馬伕 (mǎfū), from 馬 (mǎ, “horse”) + 伕 (fū, “servant, labourer”).
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈmɑːfuː/
Noun
mafoo (plural mafoos)
- In China, someone who looks after horses in a stable; a groom. [from 19th c.]
- 1977, John Le Carré, The Honourable Schoolboy, Folio Society 2010, p. 144:
- The mafoos held their charges miserably, as if sick with nerves.
- 1977, John Le Carré, The Honourable Schoolboy, Folio Society 2010, p. 144: